Heel and instep stiffener.



B. B. BRITTS. HEEL AND INSTEP STIF'FENER.

APPLICATION man JUNE 19, 1915.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

l nventor Attorneys BANCROFT B. BRITTS, OF BREAKERS, WASHINGTON.

HEEL AND INSTEP STIFFENER.

Application filed June 19, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BANGROFT B. Burns, a citizen of the United States, residing at reakers, in the county of Pacific and State of i fashington, have invented a new and iiiseful Heel and Instep stiffener, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to a heel and instep stiffener or metallic counter adapted to be disposed within or upon the exterior of the shoe, for stiffening or strengthening the heel or counter portion and instep portion of the shoe for purpose of wear, appearance, and comfort.

It is the object of the invention to provide a novel and improved article of that character adapted for use in various articles of footwear.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention resides in the peculiar formation of the article as hereinafter set forth, it being understood, however, that slightchanges in details may be made, within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanving drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a plan View of one form of the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereon taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional detail taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of asecond form of the invention. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a plan view of still another form.

In carrying out the invention. reference being had to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, wherein one form of the invention is illustrated, there is provided a shank 1 formed from sheet metal, the entire article or stifiener depicted in said views, being formed from a single b ank of sheet metal, such as steel, or the like. The rear terminal of the shank 1 provides a bottom or heel plate 2 of the counter 3, and the forward terminal of the shank 1 may be extended, as at 4, to fit between the insole and outsole for strengthening and protecting the same.

The counter 3 embodies upstanding sides 5 and 6 having their lower edges connected by means of strips 7 to the side edges of the bottom or heel plate 2, a pair of strips connecting each side of the counter and the bot- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

Serial No. 35,048.

tom or heel plate. The forward ends of the sides 5 and 6 of the counter may be extended so as to fit well into the instep portions of the upper, which is desirable. The rear terminals of the sides 5 and 6 are curved inwardly and overlap, as at 8, and the rear end of the bottom or heel plate 2 is proyided with an extension or tongue 9 proecting rearwardly therefrom. This tongue 9 passes under the overlapped portions 8, and is bent upwardly, as at 10, to rest against the outer side .of the outer overlapping portion or terminal. The upper end of the upturned portion 10 is bent back inwardly, as at 11, to engage over or around the upper edges of the overlapped portions 8, for holding said overlapped portions securely together. The rear terminal of the side 5 is bent back, as at 12, around the respective edge of the upturned portion 10, to afford further securement.

The metallic shank and counter may be secured within the shoe during the construction thereof, or the device may be applied to the exterior of the shoe, whichever is desired by the user.

The form of stiffener illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is preferably employed upon the exterior of the shoe, and it is to be noted that this form may be readily bent from a blank of sheet metal, without the necessity of the metal being punched into shape by dies. This form is also adjustable, since the several parts thereof may be bent difl'erently, to accommodate various sizes and styles of shoes. The sides 5 and 6 of the counter project forwardly, or have forwardly projecting portions at the sides of and spaced from the shank 1, to strengthen the instep. The shank 1 is relatively narrow and has its ed es spaced from the forward ends of the sides. and the lower edges of the sides are spaced above the shank. so that the shank and forwardly projecting portions of the sides can flex or bend freely independent of one another. The spacing of the sides and shank from one another also enables the lower edge of the upper to be stitched or otherwise fastened to the shank of the shoe without the interference of the counter.

In the modified form illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the stiffener is punched from a blank of sheet aluminum or similar material. the stiffener embodying the shank 1' having the enlarged bottom or heel plate 2 of the counter 3" at its rear end. In this form, the forward terminal of the shank l 's cut shorter, as at A, than the forward terminal l of the shank 1, although the,

shank 1 may be extended forwardly to any suitable point desired. The counter 3 has sides 5 and 6 upturned from the side edges of the plate 2, and has an upturned curved rear end 8 connecting the sides 5 and 6. The forward portion of the plate 2" is cut away, as at 13, between the shank l and the forward terminals of the sides 5 and 6', so that the said cut away portions will enable the respective parts of the shoe to be properly nailed or stitched together without interference. The nails for securing the heel in place may penetrate the plate 2.

In the variation illustrated in Fig. 6, the stiffener eliminates the shank, and comprises a counter 55 constructed from sheet aluminum or other suitable metal, and having the forwardly to the instep portion of the upper.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A metallic counter embodying a heel plate having upturned sides, the rear terminals of said sides being inturned, and said plate having means at its rear end engaged to sand inturned termlnals for securing them together.

plate having upturned sides, the rear terminals of said sides being inturned and over lapped, and the rear portion of said plate having a tongue projecting therefrom, said tongue having an upturned portion in rear of said overlapped terminals, the upper end of said upturned portion being bent back over the upper edges of said overlapped terminals, and the outer terminal being bent back around said upturnedportion.

5. A sheet metalcounter embody ng a heel plate having upturned sides, and a forwardly projecting relatively narrow shank, the sides having forwardly projecting portions whose lower edges are spaced above the shank, the edges of the shank being spaced from said portions.

In testimony that I claim theforegoing 70 as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

nanonor'r B. Barrrs \Vitnesses; l

Mrs. J. F. CAYwoon, J. F. CAYwoon.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. i 

